After Bowie slugger Luis Jimenez mashed multiple-run home runs in each of the first three games of the series against Bowie this week - compiling 10 RBI along the way - Aeros pitchers continued to pitch to the Baysox first baseman Thursday.

Furthermore, they continued to do so with manager Tim Bogar's blessing - with the playoffs on the line in needing a win to clinch a wildcard playoff spot.

Being forced to use a position player to pitch in a game that's way out of hand in order to save a team's bullpen happens now and again. Not so much at the Double-A level as it does in Triple-A, yet that was the situation the Aeros faced Monday night in a blowout loss to Bowie.

With Aeros pitchers combining to give up a season-high 20 hits (starter Eric DuBose was guilty for 12), Aeros outfielder Nathan Panther came on to pitch the eighth and ninth innings.

The Areos wrapped up their important three-game set in Erie Wednesday night, limping out of town after going just 1-2. New closer Jim Ed Warden blew a save Tuesday that cost the game and then usually steady Reid Santos was unable to locate the strike zone in his second inning of work Wednesday to cost the team a win that would have given them a much-need series victory.

Instead, the Aeros open play in Reading tonight having won just 2 of their last 9 games - and now no longer needs to worry about first-place Erie.

I get the sense the Aeros are driving a lot of fans crazy these days. At least they've been driving me crazy for a while now.

Granted, ups and downs are a part of every season. I used to have a manager in Triple-A Columbus named Trey Hillman who used say to me all the time, "Stephanie, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Relax.''

During a season that has featured more players than I can count changing roles - including several position players - perhaps it should have come as no surprise Sunday to find the Aeros outfield consist of only one true outfielder.

Sandwiched around usual center fielder Trevor Crowe were second baseman Argenis Reyes in left field and first baseman Stephen Head in right field.

Well, it took a few more days than I expected, but Aeros outfielder Brian Barton was finally promoted to Triple-A Buffalo after Sunday's game.

Good move for him, as he certainly deserves it after batting .314 (122-for-389) with 18 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 59 RBI, 41 walks and of course, the Minor-League leading 28 hit-by-pitches in 106 games with the Aeros this season.

Brian Barton has been anticipating a move to Triple-A Buffalo all season, and it finally looks like the Aeros uheralded outfielder could be on his way up any day now.

If it isn't enough that Barton ranks sixth in the Eastern League with a .312 average in 103 games 17 doubles, 9 home runs, 41 walks, 56 RBI and a Minor-League leading 28 hit-by-pitches, the door was opened for Barton last week Bisons outfielder Brad Snyder broke his finger. Snyder is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.